The Hot Springs star. (Hot Spings [Hot Springs], Dakota [Dakota Territory, i.e. S.D.]) 1886-189?, 1887-05-13

Ic-reasAtsalooa. Tkstswas aaittae roon
q Sthe back oahrsly deserted. Ths)
night va TO dreasy tof Tho chilly
dalnty.
Thsy eat down a ! table end Zach.
ary called for something. Rose did
not notice. She could not swallow,
andthe cake and wine remained un-
touched.
Tho blonde Lillian, Who had been
snubbed. stood for . moment In silent
wrath. She had designs ON the broker,
and saw plainly that Rose was IN her
way. She recognised the lovely face
In the light Of q street lamp.
"The brasen thing" she muttered;
.'to lie in wait for him in that way,
whom she pretended to give him the
cold shoulder before folks!"
A dark form that seemed blindly
stumbling along in the fog passed BY,
and she called out:
sJust q moment sooner, Mr.. Erskine,
and you would have found her."
sHerp-whoe" muttered Vance In a
startled tone.
"Ah, WHAT the one woman In the
universe, to be sure-the Provence
Rose! She's q primrose generally, but
tonight! All, I always suspect the
prim ones. Now I am frankly gay.
It's all open and above board. But
who would suspect that little puss Of
scheming for the favor of the rich
broker! There they 60, turning into
Minaud's, I declare! Well I've had
some pretty little rackets at Minaud's."
Vance had grown white to the lips.
He stopped not for a word, but sprang
after this ~retreatsng couple. He saw
them enter the restaurant, and then he
stopped to catch his breath. He was
painting like a runner. He had reach-
ed his goal and knew not what to do
next. A mad, unreasoning jealousy
had gained possession Of him. The
rain increased, and he stood out in 1t,
miserably wondering what he should
do.
Rose sat at the table, the wineglass
in her hand. Her eyes fell under the
ardent gaze OF the man near her, who
had been listening to her passionate
pleading for another. His heart had
grown as heavy as lead.
"And If I do this thing; IL l lend my
money to release a man I hate, what
am I to have-what will be my re-
ward"
Rose looked into the mans eyes, and
her face blanched.
"I-we will work and pay you back"
she said. .And oh, it must be grand
to be able to help a human being who
is driven to the wall-to save a soul
alive"
Zachary was abashed before the
pure innocence of the girl. The divine
spark that had nearly gone out in the
choke-damps of sin famed up for q
moment. He thought of q little sister
who had died when he was q boy. He
drew out his check-book and filled out
a check.
81 will not ask much, Ae said, with
an uneasy laugh. sYOu are asking
me to help a rival"
Rose flushed and drew back as he
handed the check to her.
ssThe conditionsp" she faltered.
There was a proud dignity in her
face.
"Remember me in your prayers"
said Zachary, laughingS
At this moment Vance had made his
way to the door. His face grew white,
and hard, and scornful as he looked.
''What is he giving hcrp" he thought,
a flame kindling in his eyes. "By Jupi-
ter, she is false! This meeting, with
such a mani"
What was she sayingp
ssHe must not knOw!"
..Cf course mott" said Zachary, hold
ing the little hand q moment longer
than was necessary, and looking into
the lovely eyes.
Vance waited no longer. With a
smothered oath he faced the two, who
stared in astonishment and fell apart.
The girls face grew gray in its pal
lor.
But they seemed to be flames before
vance's eyes, and his heart gave a great
throb of pain. Rose started, and laid
her hand on his arm, in terror at the
expression of his face.
"Come away! I can explain!" she
said. She saw his face as in a mist.
Everything swan before her.
He shook her hand off angrily. His
eyes grew burning hot. The blood
surged through his brain.
ssGo" he said. "I must settle with
this man. I have nothing to say to
you!"
Zachary's face was a study. Per-
Yet he wa man enough to speak.
"Thls lady's explanation will do her
honor. II you will not hear her, l must
make you hear mel"
"Oh, we all know what men of honor
say at such times!" sneered Vance.
The very air swooned about the girl,
but through the mist she seemed to gee
a CLEAN! It rose, it leaped like a
flame! In whose hand was the cruel
knifeP
She seemed TO reel between them. A
singing pain struck her. and there
was a sudden shrek that rang out like
the crack Of doom.
Those who rushed in saw a dark
mass of drapery on the floor; a MAI
kneeling beside it, pressing a girls
head against his breast. He was sob.
bling without restraint, Zachary stood
afar off, as one paralyzed. The girls
white face was convulsed with pain
and there was q horrible wound in hel
side. but she was cropping feebly about
I | nlutnhsnn Of hor hrooot